Online Content Normalizes Gambling for Teenagers

Teenagers do not always make the best choices. It is well known that online gambling is illegal for teenagers, but many teenagers use VPNs and other tools to bypass these laws. Interest with gambling may begin with teenagers spending their free time watching videos of people gambling, whether it is sports betting or gambling real money on games of chance. This exposure of gambling to people of young ages, while seemingly insignificant, can contribute to addictive natures.

“I see gambling videos around a couple times a day, probably like around ten videos every three hours,” said freshman Landon Lin.

Similarly, freshman Andy Yuan said, “I see it quite a lot, a few every hour or so.”

While neither of them has the money to gamble, they both have tried gambling in games. “If I had money to gamble, I would definitely do it. I saw someone gambling on Roblox Plinko and in the comments section it had the game name, so I went on Roblox and I started playing it. I would not say I was addicted, but I skipped my homework for two days to play it,” Landon said.

It is not just the freshmen who are experiencing the rise of gambling content; sophomores are noticing it too. Sophomore Hung Bui said, “I believe that gambling content can have a significant influence on other students my age by sparking curiosity or interest.” Andy and Landon both also thought the same. Continuing with the theme of the dangers of gambling, Hung said, “I do not think most people my age fully understand or are aware of the risks involved with gambling.”

Moreover, Andy said, “Many people are not aware of the neurons in your brain forming the connection, and you can definitely have an addiction or start an addiction from gambling.” Parents want these videos to be restricted because kids who do not have self control can become addicted.

The father of freshman Sebastian Phan, Shaun Phan, said, “I do not want my children to be exposed to gambling content that is being promoted on social media apps like Instagram and Tiktok.”

Students think alike. “I think social media platforms should restrict gambling-related content to prevent it from influencing young people,” said Hung.

Landon said, “I think there should be an option to restrict gambling related content.”

When it comes down to if gambling content on social media is harmful, students still have mixed feelings. “Gambling is not really harmful because people can just skip the videos and stuff about gambling but people who like gambling are able to watch it and that is good for them,” said Landon.

On the other hand, Hung said, “I think gambling content on social media can be harmful, especially to young people like students, because it can encourage risky behavior.”

As someone who has tried their luck gambling in CSGO cases, a virtual loot box in a video game where you can win in-game items that are worth real money, Andy said, “Gambling isn’t a way to earn real money. The people who gamble to earn money are most likely addicted, and with the rise of gambling content across social media, more teenagers are starting to believe that gambling is an easy way to get rich. However, that’s really not how life works.”